At a Glance

Think you know New York? We invite you to come explore and get to know the whole city. Each day, discover fascinating aspects of each of the five boroughs on educational field trips to meet its people, experience its cultural institutions and explore historic neighborhoods with insider perspectives. Top off your experience with a ride from the inspirational to the sublime, from the rebirth of the Bronx to mansions on the Hudson.

Activity Level

Let's Go!

Walking 5 to 8 miles per day with lots of stairs. Public transportation used exclusively throughout program.

Best of all, you'll ...

Discover the fascinating history and architecture of New York boroughs with narrated walks and illustrated lectures.

Get to know multi-ethnic Queens — the most diverse county in the U.S.

Walk the magnificent Brooklyn Promenade and ride a ferry past the Statue of Liberty to Staten Island.

Featured Expert

All Experts

John Kriskiewicz

John Kriskiewicz, a native New Yorker, is an architectural historian with a professional degree in architecture from Pratt University. He teaches several courses concerning the architectural and planning history of New York City at Parsons School of Design and The Cooper Union. He is the director of history and architecture programs for Discover New York with Kitt Garrett, Inc. John also does research for architectural firms and has written the introduction to the book, "Manhattan Skyscrapers.”

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Karl Baudendistel

View biography

Mike Grant

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John Kriskiewicz

View biography

Christine Vaindirlis

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Suggested Reading List

View 13 books

Mannahatta: A Natural History of NYC

by Sanderson & Boyer

The Death And Life Of Great American Cities

by Jane Jacobs

Time and Again

by Jack Finney

Here Is New York

by E. B. White

The Great Bridge

by David McCullough

Let The Great World Spin

by Colum McCann

Ladies & Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning

by Jonathan Maler

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

by Betty Smith

The Power Broker

by Robert Caro

New York

by Edward Rutherford

The Island at the Center of the World

by Russell Shorto

722 Miles: The Building of the Subways and How They Transformed New York

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment and take your luggage to your room, come to the designated hotel meeting room (location will be posted) to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your envelope when you check in.

Dinner: 5:00 p.m.: In the Tick Tock Diner just off the hotel lobby, we’ll have our first meal together and order from a select menu. This 24-hour diner features American cooking and “comfort food.” Dinner in the diner is included even if you arrive late. You may eat later but please attend Orientation first. Or, get takeout and bring your plate to the meeting room.

Evening: Orientation: 6:15 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Group Leaders on our programs are highly trained and knowledgeable about many aspects of the city. We will also have the benefit of local experts who will provide information and commentary on areas of particular interest. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Following the Orientation session, we will walk three blocks with our Group Leader to the Empire State Building for a bird’s eye view of the city. The Group Leader will return to the hotel and you may stay as long as you like.

DAY

2

Introduction To New York, Brooklyn Field Trip

New York

B,L,D

New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Use of New York City public transportation (subway); extensive stair climbing. Walking up to 8 miles with stops along the way; city streets and sidewalks.

Breakfast: In the hotel meeting room, we’ll have bagels, muffins, bananas, hard-boiled eggs, cold cereals, cream cheese, jelly, and butter, plus milk (regular and low-fat), orange juice, coffee/decaf, tea. Please arrive on time with a photocopy of your ID to register for a senior citizen MetroCard if you are 65 or over. During breakfast, we will register with the MTA for a senior citizen MetroCard (if you are 65 or over). This cost is included in the program price. A representative from the MTA will take your picture and a copy of your driver’s license to process your permanent MetroCard application. They will give you a temporary card to use for the week, enabling you to ride for half price. A few weeks after you return home you will receive a permanent card in the mail — your official invitation to come back to New York and ride around for half price. If you have been on a previous program and have a senior citizen's MetroCard, please bring it with you.

Morning: We’ll be joined by an architectural historian who will give us an introduction to the five boroughs of New York City — the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island — each with its own history, personality, and appeal. We’ll then depart by subway for Brooklyn.

Lunch: At a neighborhood restaurant in Brooklyn.

Afternoon: Our architectural historian will take us through a few Brooklyn neighborhoods. Until it was consolidated into the City of New York in 1898, Brooklyn was an independent city. It was founded by the Dutch in 1646 as the village of Breukelen. Today it is one of the most densely populated of all the boroughs, and if it were its own city, it would be the fourth largest in the United States. We’ll take a short break at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of America’s most significant engineering achievements in the 19th century, at Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Promenade. Designed by a German immigrant, John A. Roebling, this magnificent suspension bridge of granite and steel took 14 years to complete (1869-1883), spanning the East River to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Dinner: At a Chinese restaurant near the hotel, we’ll have a family-style meal with tea and water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: We'll walk to another Manhattan neighborhood with a local expert to see what's most interesting at the time of the program.

DAY

3

Borough of Queens

New York

B,L,D

New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Use of New York City public transportation (subway); extensive stair climbing. Walking up to 8 miles with stops along the way; city streets and sidewalks.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: We’ll take the “International Express” to explore one of Queens' diverse neighborhoods. The 7 Line is nicknamed the “International Express” because Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in America.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Queens.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll visit the site of two world's fairs and the fantastic panorama at the Queens Museum.

Dinner: At a restaurant near the hotel.

Evening: We'll take a stroll in one of New York’s historic neighborhoods with a local expert to see what's most interesting at the time of the program.

DAY

4

Staten Island, Lower Manhattan

New York

B,L

New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Limited use of New York City public transportation (subway); stair climbing. Walking 5-8 miles with stops along the way; city streets and sidewalks.

Morning: We’ll travel via subway to the very bottom of Manhattan Island where we’ll transfer to the Staten Island Ferry. Once on Staten Island, we’ll visit the historic Alice Austen House, home of one of America's earliest and most prolific female photographers. A docent will tell us about Ms. Austen’s home and bohemian lifestyle.

Lunch: Returning to Manhattan on the ferry, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: The Group Leader will take us on a walk through Historic Lower Manhattan ending at the 9/11 Memorial site by approximately 3:00 p.m. You may return to the hotel with the Group Leader or stay out to explore independently. If you wish to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum or the 1 World Trade Center Observatory, we recommend making reservations online ahead of time.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

5

Manhattan, The Bronx

New York

B,D

New Yorker Hotel

Activity note: Use of New York City public transportation (subway); extensive stair climbing. Walking up to 8 miles with stops along the way; city streets and sidewalks.

Breakfast: Hotel plated meal.

Morning: Our architectural historian will rejoin us as we board a private motorcoach and ride to the Upper West Side of Manhattan and Harlem. We’ll make a brief stop in Harlem to take in one particularly well-preserved, historic block on foot before continuing our ride up to South Bronx where we’ll see a variety of neighborhoods representative of the vast changes that impacted this borough over the course of the 20th century; we’ll discuss some of the factors and results of these changes.

Lunch: In the Little Italy section of the Bronx, on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Our journey will continue through The Bronx to Wave Hill where we’ll have some time to explore its beautiful gardens overlooking the Hudson River independently. We’ll then return to the hotel.

Dinner: In a neighborhood restaurant near the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: With a local expert, we’ll have an opportunity for another walk in Manhattan. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure following our final session in the morning.

DAY

6

Wrap-up Session, Program Concludes

New York

B

Activity note: Hotel check out 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: In the meeting room.

Morning: As a closing highlight, we’ll be joined by a New Yorker who’s in touch with what’s happening in the five boroughs and who will lead a lively group discussion. The session will end at approximately 10:30 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals

12 Meals

5 Breakfasts

3 Lunches

4 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

This Art Deco masterpiece opened in 1930. All of New York is at your doorstep, across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, Macy's and the Empire State Building are just down the street with the Theater District a few minutes walk. The hotel features a business center and a fitness center.

The Five Days, Five Boroughs was a delightful trip. If you are interested in a very active and busy NYC experience this is the trip for you. Our guide Angela was very informative and organized. She made the trip the best that it could be. Our trip was in early October 2018 and we had very good weather.

A too short trip for what is covered. All 5 Boroughs are visited but very quickly. One borough, Queens, really not seen, only the WorldsFair grounds and a tiny museum. Subject matter very interesting and just deserves more time. A lot of subway riding!

The Five Boroughs program is a great introduction for the New York Ciyt greenhorn. Who doesn't hear references to Brooklyn and the Bronx on a regular basis and wonder just what those things mean to New Yorkers? You'll come away with a good sense of New York City overall and a little taste of each of the boroughs. Great fun!

What a beautiful experience. The lectures,the guides,the hotel and the friendly New Yorkers were unsurpassed.a shout out to our amazing guides Angela and John. The hotel conserag Anthony was very helpful and charming.cant wait for my next visit, thank you roadscholar.

I would highly recommend Road Scholars Five Borough trip. Especially if it you first time in New York City. We explored all five boroughs and the public transportation system in a busy five days. The pace was quick and the days were full. The included meals were good. Our leader Angela was outstanding. Her knowledge, passion, and love for the city, was exemplary.

Being more of "small town person", I was surprised that this trip made me fall in love with NYC. I would love to return. The trip exploded the myth for me that NYCers are unfriendly, too busy to stop to help/talk to you, and are uninterested in anything but NYC. Our leader, Karl, was a superb tour director while dealing with the day to day challenges that come with leading a large group of 37 people up and down the streets of NYC. I truly enjoyed our guest instructors: John (so knowledgeable and personable), Omar (energetic, a great teacher), Christopher (hilarious - not to be missed) and Molly (so helpful with questions in preparation for the trip). You will not be disappointed by this trip.

Even if you have been to New York City before, this trip to all of the boroughs is an absolute must! One truly gets a fuller understanding of what it means to be a New Yorker. Would never have gotten to the outer reaches of the boroughs and experienced so much without Road Scholar. You will walk miles, but with good shoes -- very doable. Make sure to do the optional evening walks. NYC with Road Scholar is the way to go!

A tasty smorgasbord of what it is to be part of New York City. Take all the optional evening walks. Bring a comfortable set of headphone/earbuds. Wear comfortable sturdy walking shoes; they mean what they say, you walk five miles a day at a good pace. Very organized and service-oriented trip leader, knowledgeable and experienced instructors. The New Yorker is a perfect hotel; enjoy the photo gallery/museum downstairs near the business center.

Five Boroughs Five Days is an outstanding tour for anyone familiar with major New York City sites who wants a deeper exploration of the city. Lots of walking and some stairs but opportunities to sit as well. Don't be afraid. Wonderful experience.

This was a very informative trip. Angela was a very good leader and between her and our speaker Jim I learned a lot about what makes New York tick. I want to come back again. Lots of walking and subway stairs.

You've been missing a lot if you think you know NYC without learning about and visiting the boroughs.
This was just a wonderful program and the perfect length. Put on your best walking shoes and take this urban hike!

This program showcases the diversity of NYC's neighborhoods, while also hitting many of the city's highlights. This was my first trip to NYC, and I'm glad I did it this way. The hotel location is excellent; our leaders were patient fonts of knowledge, able to answer almost every question; the food ranges from good enough to excellent. We walked and walked and climbed lots of stairs: the activity description is accurate. This program does not include walking across the Brooklyn Bridge (which is super crowded) but you do get close enough to take photos from river level. It does not include a visit to the Statue of Liberty, but we went by it on the Staten Island Ferry. If you want to visit it, book online early! It does include a visit to the top of the Empire State Building and to the High Line, along with good coverage of Manhattan's features in the evening walks.

I would highly recommend this program, particularly if you have already seen the major sights of Manhattan and want to broaden your understanding and experience of New York City. Angela Christensen is an excellent group leader and tour guide. All the instructors were very knowledgeable and articulate: John Kriskiewicz, Daniel Karatzas and Christopher Moore. There is a lot of walking and many many stairs. So be prepared. This was my 18th Road Scholar program and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I plan to come back for the City Walks program next year. All the people in the group were very nice, which added to the overall fun of the program. There were 38 participants in the group, but with Angela's organization and the conviviality of the participants, this program had the feel of a much smaller group.

Just came home from New York City - Five
Boroughs in Five Days! The trip was amazing!
Our group leader Angela was exceptional and
perfect for this tour! Everything went perfect
and could not have enjoyed it more!

The Five Days, Five Boroughs is a very educational Road Scholar program. Angela Christensen is a great Group Leader. The program instructors – especially John Kriskiewicz – were first-rate. This program is a perfect introduction to New York City. This was our seventh Road Scholar trip and we highly recommend it to other travelers. If you enroll in this trip, plan to stay on a few days and visit the Tenement Museum, as well as other highlights of the city.
Polly and Dave Sobel from Richmond, Vermont

A great trip, very informative, great tour guide and lecturers. You truly walk 5 to 7 mi or even a little more daily. Don't go if you are not up to it. One person took a taxi back to the hotel one day and one had a leg problem which did not seem to be new - best to stay home or participate in another tour and not hold other people up.

This was my tenth Road Scholar program. I have loved them all but this was possibly the best one yet. It exceeded my expectations and made me fall in love with NYC!
Be prepared for lots of walking as advertised.

This is a great introduction to NYC. Mike was a welcoming New Yorker whose after dinner walks were one of the highlights of the program. Including the evening walks we walked 7-9 miles/day. The pace was appropriate, but potential attendees should know that we use subways for 80% of our transportation and there are LOTS OF STAIRS.

Great great trip. Best Road Scholar trip I've ever taken - and I have taken too many for an accurate count. Wonderful walks. Saw and learned much new trivia about the Boroughs. Saw a Broadway play in my free time.
The Dominican food restaurant not good. Too dry to my taste. The Chinese food restaurant too oily for my taste - just like being in China. The other ethnic restaurants fine.
Wonderful spacious hotel room!
The lecturers knew their stuff and gave in depth talks! The power points sooo good.